When is the best time of the year to catch Stripers?Striper fishing is good year round anytime of the day, or night, in almost any weather condition. Every month has their good and bad days. The record Striper on Lake Cumberland was December 11, 1985 - 58 lbs. 4oz. Early morning is usually the best, though some days high noon may be when the action starts. I've charted and mapped out moon phases and while the best times may be for most game fish, not really so with the Striper. There is no rhyme or reason, and luck plays a role in the quest. Barometric changes has a different effect on Stripers. The springtime is always great due to the warmer water and heavy feeding before the spawn, with many back to back catches and the occasional 2 or 3 on at once. During the spawn, the feeding schools break up as the spawning fish seek open water where the eggs are released, and can be seen by the thousands rolling over each other on the surface in long lines of fish. The males still feed heavily through the spawn, but the females will not feed for 3-7 days. After the spawn, generally in May, the schools start to reform, back to back catches, multiple fish on, & sometimes all 10 rods go down with fish on!!! This can happen anytime during the summer and fall.
Are Stripers the only fish you guide for?Hillbilly Delux is geared for Stripers, however, it is your day on the lake and if bass, walleye, (the walleye took a big hit during the drought of 2012, the walleye fishery is in recovery, the re-stocking efforts should catch up by 2016 or 2017)catfish, or panfish are what you're after, that is fine. Combination days are a good change of pace at times. Note however, no other fish on Lake Cumberland fights like the Striper, it is the ultimate sport fish in the lake. You may want to bring your own favorite rod for flipping or ultra light for pan fishing...

Can I bring my kids?Of course! In fact, kids under 15 and under (non-residents also) do not even need a fishing license. Hillbilly Delux gives youth 15 and under a $25 discount per youth.

How does the Turkey Striper Combo days work?In the Spring, if the whereabouts of roosted birds is known, we'll start there before light. Otherwise we'll start trolling for Stripers while locating. As the morning wears on, the Tom's will start being more responsive, we'll tie the boat up on the bank and head after them. Chances of harvesting Turkey and Stripers are good. The day will most likely be a long one, big woods and steep ridges, not for the weak. In the fall, flocks of turkeys are common and often seen on or near the banks. The scatter and call back as the dominant hen technique is the usual game plan, or we'll set up a push depending on the location of the birds.

What is Down-rodding?Usually mid to late summer when the Stripers start schooling in the deeper waters cruising around the points or flats, the trolling motor is used to keep the boat in a hovering position straight above these spots. Lines are set off each corner of the boat straight down using 3oz. weights offering a sweet buffet of bait. The pontoon works great for this!